What does AC4 wear rating mean?
AC4 rating is the first level specifically intended for commercial usage. AC4 rated laminate is suitable for moderately trafficked commercial spaces such as boutiques, offices, salons, and cafes. AC5 rating is the highest durability rating.
Is AC4 laminate waterproof?
AC4 – General Commercial Be aware that while an AC4 laminate can be good in a bar, cafe, or restaurant, not all laminates are water resistant, and spillages, heavy duty mopping, or steam mopping will cause severe damage to the floor and could cause it to squeak, or even worse, buckle.
What is AC4 grade laminate?
AC4 Laminate Flooring - Moderately busy residential areas such as living room, hallways and small commercial spaces such as offices, salons etc. This is a commercial range and therefore covers any residential use with ease of mind.
What is the difference between AC3 and AC4 laminate flooring?
AC3 – laminate flooring can withstand any type of heavy residential traffic, such as hallways and may also be used in a professional setting with light traffic. AC4 – laminate flooring is designed for commercial applications with moderately intense traffic. Ideal for small shops and offices.
Is 12mm laminate better than 8mm?
Impact Resistance 12mm is much more impact resistant than 8mm. Sharp items that accidentally fall on a thicker base will have very little effect on it. That's the reason why people prefer 12mm laminate in high traffic areas.
How can you tell if laminate is good quality?
What to look for to ensure you're getting a good quality productLook at the flooring up close by requesting a sample. ... Good-quality laminate floorboards should lock together seamlessly and create a flat surface – if the edges seem rough or uneven it may cause installation issues, so look for a precision-machined edge.More items...•
What is a good thickness for laminate flooring?
How thick should laminate flooring be? Laminate flooring should be between 6-12mm thick. If you find thicker than 12mm, it's an inaccurate measurement–possibly including attached padding. If you want the highest-quality, hardwood feel, you'll want 10 or 12mm.
How long will laminate flooring last?
Laminate. Laminate Flooring Lifespan: 10-15 years for low quality tile and installation; 20-30 years for high quality with proper installation.
What is the highest AC rating for laminate floors?
AC6These two applications are then further broken down into traffic intensity levels from moderate to heavy traffic. The highest AC rating for laminate flooring is AC6, but it is rarely available and only necessary for extremely high-wear public areas.
What is AC4 and AC5?
AC4: Suitable for home use in all traffic areas and for standard commercial use, such as in office buildings. AC5: Suitable for heavy commercial traffic, such as in hotels or department stores.
What is a good wear layer for laminate flooring?
For example, a common laminate flooring term is a “wear layer”. Most residential flooring will offer a wear layer of AC2 or AC3, but for commercial applications you probably want an AC5. Commercial operations have much heavier foot traffic than your home will, and a higher level of wear layer.
What is AC4 32 laminate?
AC4 rating (Class 32): Any domestic and general trafficked commercial spaces such as offices, cafes, salons and boutiques or residential spaces. AC5 rating (Class 33): Busy areas requiring medium to heavy traffic resistance such as retail stores, showrooms, restaurants and schools.
What is the highest AC rating for laminate floors?
AC6These two applications are then further broken down into traffic intensity levels from moderate to heavy traffic. The highest AC rating for laminate flooring is AC6, but it is rarely available and only necessary for extremely high-wear public areas.
What is AC4 32 laminate?
AC4 rating (Class 32): Any domestic and general trafficked commercial spaces such as offices, cafes, salons and boutiques or residential spaces. AC5 rating (Class 33): Busy areas requiring medium to heavy traffic resistance such as retail stores, showrooms, restaurants and schools.
What thickness of laminate is best?
How thick should laminate flooring be? Laminate flooring should be between 6-12mm thick. If you find thicker than 12mm, it's an inaccurate measurement–possibly including attached padding. If you want the highest-quality, hardwood feel, you'll want 10 or 12mm.
How long will laminate flooring last?
Laminate. Laminate Flooring Lifespan: 10-15 years for low quality tile and installation; 20-30 years for high quality with proper installation.
What Are Abrasion Class Ratings?
Abrasion class ratings — also known as AC ratings — is an industry-wide system of classifying laminate flooring by how durable it is. Laminate floo...
How Is Laminate Flooring Rated?
The top layer of laminate flooring is called the “wear layer.” This is where the protective coating that keeps your floor free of moisture and stai...
What Are the Different AC Ratings for Laminate Flooring?
AC ratings apply to both residential and commercial flooring. Each of the five AC ratings is 60% higher than the rating before it. The five types o...
Why do I like AC ratings?
I love AC ratings because they’re unbiased and cover a wide range of things that could damage your laminate. And to take it a step further, it’s graded on the lowest category it receives. This means your less likely to get misled by it. If you want laminate to last in a room you use, I’d go with AC3.
What is AC1 laminate?
AC1 rated laminate is designated for the lightest homeowner traffic. This laminate can save you money, but only should be used in rooms without much traffic. Good examples are closets, rarely used dining rooms, guest bedrooms (that kids don’t play in), and possibly adult bedrooms if you don’t move furniture often.
What is the best rating for laminate?
When shopping for laminate, the higher the AC rating, the more durable the laminate. If you’re a homeowner, you’ll want laminate with a 1-3 rating. If you’re a commercial building owner, you’ll want 3-6. Here’s a breakdown:
Is AC6 laminate rare?
AC6 rated laminate is rare, but you might see it. It’s a step up for extreme commercial use.
Is AC4 or AC3 durable?
AC4 is somewhere in- between. I still think AC3 is durable enough for 95% of homes. But if you find a can’t-beat price on AC4, you can consider it… just make sure it’s not too rough underfoot before committing to having it installed.
Is AC5 good for a home?
I don’t recommend AC5 in homes for a couple of reasons. One is that you are likely overpaying. Yes, AC5 is durable, but it’s overkill for home settings. The second is that AC5 is often high-pressure laminate that has a rough texture.
Is AC rating good for laminate flooring?
Captain’s warning! AC rating is a great durability rating, but just like all other floorings, other factors come into play. Big factors for laminate are moisture and how level the subfloor is. This can wreck the most durable laminate floor. Check out the laminate guide for more info.
What is an AC Rating?
An AC rating is a common term used to indicate the durability level of laminate flooring. These ratings are applied to all laminate floors by an independent body known as European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). To help buyers understand the difference in durability among laminate flooring products, these ratings indicate a laminate’s resistance to stress.
What is AC5 heavy commercial?
AC5 Heavy Commercial. Built for the busiest commercial uses and high–traffic spaces like department stores and government buildings.
What does AC rating mean for laminate flooring?
The AC rating assigned after testing specifies the level of stress and the suitable location for the laminate flooring to be installed. These ratings will also tell you if the laminate flooring can be used in residential or commercial areas.
What is AC5 vs AC4?
AC4 is for sit-down offices, small shops and specialty stores. AC5 is for places that see a lot of foot traffic, like sales floors, shopping malls, public buildings and restaurants. If you’re still unsure which rating is best for your specific space, contact the flooring specialists at 50 Floor to help you make the best decision.
What is AC rating?
AC ratings are not meant to distinguish poor-quality flooring from high-quality flooring. Instead, they are an easy way to classify laminate flooring into different categories so you can make a sound investment for your space.
What Are Abrasion Class Ratings?
Abrasion class ratings — also known as AC ratings — is an industry-wide system of classifying laminate flooring by how durable it is. Laminate flooring is available in various styles, patterns, textures and colors, regardless of its AC rating. AC ratings are not meant to distinguish poor-quality flooring from high-quality flooring. Instead, they are an easy way to classify laminate flooring into different categories so you can make a sound investment for your space.
What is AC1 laminate flooring?
AC1, AC2 and AC3 laminate floorings are for residential use. Use AC1 in places you do not frequent often, like a guest room, formal dining room or storage closet. You can use AC2 in more frequented areas, like bedrooms and your home office.
What is AC1 flooring?
AC1: AC1 flooring is the lightest laminate class for moderate residential use. It is designed to withstand light foot traffic.
What is AC3 in a home?
AC3 is for those parts of your home where you spend the most time, like the kitchen, living room, staircase and hallways. Commercial spaces: For commercial spaces, analyze what parts of your building are used most frequently. For example, do people spend all day walking around the space to shop or look at displays, ...
Is AC4 flooring good for commercial use?
AC4: AC4 is not intended for residential use. Instead, use this flooring in moderately busy areas of your commercial space.
What is an AC rating?
An AC rating is the wear rating given to laminate flooring. It measures the resistance to abrasion, impact, and stains and indicates the durability of laminate. AC ratings are broken down into five levels ranging from AC1, moderate residential use, to AC6, intensive commercial use.
Which laminate flooring is best?
As seen in the table above, the AC durability ratings are divided into two applications: residential and commercial. Levels AC1 to AC3 are appropriate for residential areas, while AC4 to AC6 are suitable for residential and commercial uses.
Laminate 12mm vs 8mm
Sisu Laminate, the products we supply, comes in two different ranges: 8mm and 12mm. These different thicknesses affect the durability of the laminate boards and mean that they have a different AC rating.
So, What Is An AC Rating?
Can The AC Rating Be Trusted to Determine Durability?
- Yes. There aren’t many single scores I like for flooring. Many are biased or just inaccurate. The AC rating covers so many different ways that a laminate can wear, that the grade gives you a great idea of how durable your laminate will be. This doesn’t always mean you should go for the highest score. I’ll cover more on that in the breakdown of rankings
Comparison of AC Ratings
- When shopping for laminate, the higher the AC rating, the more durable the laminate. If you’re a homeowner, you’ll want laminate with a 1-3 rating. If you’re a commercial building owner, you’ll want 3-6. Here’s a breakdown:
Captain’s Parting Words!
- Now you know enough about laminate’s #1 durability rating to choose what’s best for each of your rooms and not overpay. I love AC ratings because they’re unbiased and cover a wide range of things that could damage your laminate. And to take it a step further, it’s graded on the lowest category it receives. This means your less likely to get misled by it. If you want laminate to last i…